The old man’s business affairs always came to the same end, and Gustavo was without a job for the second time. As poverty increased so did ill-humour, and Alfonso, who was now spending more time at the Mallers than with the Lanuccis, suffered particularly in their company because he was unused to the asperities that came from need. When Gustavo came home one day and announced that he had left his job because his boss had insulted him, there was an ugly scene. First the old man praised his son’s self-respect and told him he was a real Lanucci. His mood only changed after his wife observed sadly that the family finances would be worse for this. At the idea of any increase in poverty, the old man lost all logic and pride. He yelled and cursed, more and more put out by the pert replies of Gustavo, who was trying to safeguard his own dignity as best he could. In his fury the old man said that he was sick and tired of bearing the expenses of the whole family all alone.
